Unknown Quotes

Context

This quote is by Albert Einstein (maybe?), source and date unknown.

Let's break this down, Shmoopers:

1. Knowledge is having stuff in your brain.
2. Intelligence is your capacity to put and use stuff in your brain.
3. Imagination is your ability to create things—real or not—from the stuff… in your brain.

Einstein was saying that knowledge is necessary, but imagination gives it wings to soar. How fantastic was it to imagine the speed of light, or social media, or even pizza? What about when Ice Age-era Brog showed cave-mate Orlog the fur socks she made for her Popsicle toes? Without imagination, there would be no Star Wars, books, music, WiFi, or zoot suits. Without imagination, we would perish in the pit of perpetual boredom.

P.S. Let's not forget that, since we can't source the quote, we can't really be sure if Einstein actually said it. The people of the Internet have all sorts of ideas about where it came from. So, we're calling this one a misquote.

Where you've heard it

You might recite this line to get out of doing your homework. But save your breath. That smart phone you're texting on was conceived in imagination but built on knowledge. How do you like them apples?

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Deep thoughts always rank on the high side of the pretentious scale. Adding a super scientist like Einstein just cements that view for us.